One of the longest nerves in the body is known as the vagus nerve (VN). The VN is the 10th pair of cranial nerves that originates at the brain stem in the medulla oblongata. This nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a part of the ANS. Research suggests ear acupuncture can activate the VN.
Correction
In the December 2005 issue, Acupuncture Today published an article by Lisajeanne Potyk entitled "Eliminating Waste in Practice: Dr. Tan's Eight Magic Points for All Digestive Disorders." The article contained a sentence which appear as, "She is not the mother of a healthy, contented newborn." The sentence should have read, "She is now the mother of a healthy, contented newborn."
We offer our apologies to Ms. Potyk and our readers for the error.
In the January 2006 issue, Acupuncture Today reported on the status of several acupuncture bills, including Senate Bill 285, which was passedin Oregon and allows licensed acupuncturists to serve on the Oregon Pain Management Commission. In the original article, we had written that bill would require all licensed acupuncturists to complete a "pain management education program." Since that article appeared, we have been notified that only acupuncturists appointed to serve on the Pain Management Commission would be required to complete a pain management program, not every licensed acupuncturist in Oregon.
We apologize to our readers for any inconvenience this may have caused.